Internet protocol address management system and method

ABSTRACT

An Internet Protocol address manager creates data containers for managing Internet Protocol addresses. Each data container can store an address block of Internet Protocol addresses and includes a container policy for managing the address block. Additionally, the Internet Protocol address manager creates links between the data containers to organize the data containers into a container hierarchy. The Internet Protocol address manager can then allocate the address blocks or portions thereof among the data containers in the container hierarchy according to the container policies. Moreover, each data container can be associated with a network or subnet of a computer network. Further, the Internet Protocol address manager can assign an Internet Protocol address contained in the address block of a data container to a network host or host device in the network or subnet associated with the data container.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to Internet Protocol addresses. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods of managing Internet Protocol addresses.

2. Background Art

Internet Protocol (IP) registries are nonprofit organizations established to administer and register Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the public. An example of a regional IP registry is the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN). One administrative function of an IP registry is to process requests for P addresses from individuals or organizations and to allocate IP addresses to these individuals and organizations. In previous years, the number of IP addresses available for allocation to the public has been plentiful. Because of the exponential growth of the Internet and the associated demand for IP addresses in more recent years, however, IP addresses have become scarce resources.

An organization, such as a corporation or an Internet Service Provider, will often request a block of consecutive IP addresses from an IP registry, and the IP registry will typically allocate the block of consecutive IP addresses to the organization. A system administrator then allocates portions of the IP address block to networks or subnets within the computer network. Additionally, the system administrator selects IP addresses in the address block and assigns the IP addresses to network hosts and host devices in the network or subnet.

Often, the system administrator of the computer network inefficiently allocates portions of the IP address block to networks and subnets in the computer network. In some situations, the system administrator over-allocates a portion of the IP address block to a network or subnet to avoid running out of IP addresses for the network or subnet. Consequently, many IP addresses allocated to the network or subnet may be unassigned. In other situations, the system administrator of the computer network can under-allocate a portion of the IP address block to a network or subnet. Consequently, additional IP addresses are needed after the IP addresses allocated to the network or subnet are assigned to network hosts and host devices. Although the system administrator of the computer network can reallocate the address blocks among the networks and subnets, such a reallocation is a tedious and time-consuming process.

In light of the above, there exists a need to manage IP addresses for a computer network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An Internet Protocol (IP) address manager addresses the need for managing IP addresses for a computer network by creating data containers for storing and managing address blocks of IP addresses. Each data container can store an address block of IP addresses and includes one or more container policies for managing the address block. In various embodiments, the data container includes container attributes for the data container and address block attributes for the address block to facilitate management of the address block. Further, the Internet Protocol address manager can create links between the data containers to form a container hierarchy including the data containers. The container hierarchy facilitates allocation of address blocks among the data containers and management of the address blocks stored in the data containers.

A data container, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, is capable of storing an address block including one or more IP addresses. Further, the data container includes at least one container policy for managing the address block. In a further embodiment, the data container is capable of storing multiple address blocks, each of which can store one or more IP addresses.

A method of managing IP addresses, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes creating a first data container capable of storing a first address block including one or more IP addresses. The method further includes creating one or more container policies for managing the first address block. In another embodiment, a second data container is created. The second data container is capable of storing a second address block including one or more IP addresses. One or more container policies are created for the second data container. Further, in this embodiment, a link is created between the first data container and the second data container to form a container hierarchy including the first and second data containers.

A system for managing IP addresses, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes a topology module that creates a data container capable of storing an address block including at least one IP address. In this embodiment, the topology module creates a container policy for managing the address block. In another embodiment, the topology module creates a plurality of data containers and links the data containers together into a container hierarchy.

A computer program product, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes computer program code for creating a data container capable of storing an address block including one or more Internet Protocol addresses. Further, the computer program product includes computer program code for creating at least one container policy for managing the address block.

A system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes a memory system configured to store an Internet Protocol address manager. The system further includes a processor coupled in communication with the memory system and configured to execute the Internet Protocol address manager to generate an electronic notification. The electronic notification indicates an allocation of an address block containing at least one Internet Protocol address. The system further includes an Internet interface coupled in communication with the processor and configured to send the electronic notification to an Internet Protocol Address Internet Registry via the Internet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing environment in which an Internet Protocol address manager can be practiced, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of exemplary data containers, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computing system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an IP address manager, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of exemplary container policies;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of exemplary container attributes;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of exemplary address block attributes;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface generated by a topology module of the IP address manager;

FIG. 9 is another exemplary screen shot of the graphical user interface generated by the topology module of the IP address manager;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface generated by a management module of the IP address manager;

FIG. 11 is another exemplary screen shot of a graphical user interface generated by the management module of the IP address manager;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for managing IP addresses;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a portion of an exemplary method for managing IP addresses; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a portion of an exemplary method for managing IP addresses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, an Internet Protocol address manager creates data containers for managing Internet Protocol addresses. Each data container can store an address block of Internet Protocol addresses and includes a container policy for managing the address block. In this embodiment, each network or subnet of a computer network is associated with a data container. Additionally, the Internet Protocol address manager can create links between the data containers to organize the data containers into a container hierarchy that corresponds to the hierarchical structure of the computer network. The Internet Protocol address manager can then allocate the address blocks or portions thereof among the data containers in the container hierarchy according to the container policies. The Internet Protocol address manager can also assign an Internet Protocol address contained in the address block of a data container to a network host or host device in the network or subnet associated with the data container.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary computing environment 100 in which an Internet Protocol (IP) address manager 120 can be practiced, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The computing environment 100 includes an Internet Protocol Address Internet Registry (IR) 105 and a computing system 115 coupled together in communication via the Internet 110. The IR 105 manages IP addresses to be allocated to the public, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. For example, the IR 105 can be a regional IP registry or a local IP registry. In this embodiment, the computing system 115 includes the IP address manager 120. The IP address manager 120 manages IP addresses for a computer network, such as public IP addresses allocated by the IR 105 or private IP address usable by anyone, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. Moreover, the IP address manager 120 includes one or more data containers 130 for storing IP addresses. In one embodiment, each data container 130 can store one or more address blocks 125 of IP addresses. Moreover, the data containers 120 can be linked together in a hierarchical arrangement as is described more fully herein.

In one embodiment, the IP address manager 120 allocates an address block 125 to a data container 130 by storing the address block 125 into the data container 130, as is described more fully herein. The IP address manager 120 then sends an electronic notification of the allocation to the IR 105 via the Internet 110. For example, the electronic notification can be an email that specifies ajustification for the allocation of the address block 125 to the data container 130. In further embodiments, the IP address manager 120 creates other data containers 130 and manages the data containers 130 and the address blocks 125 stored in the data containers 130, as is also described more fully herein.

FIG. 2 depicts exemplary data containers 130 a-c, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Each data container 130 is capable of storing one or more address blocks 125 allocated to the data container 130. Further, each data container 130 (e.g., data containers 130 a-c) includes at least one container policy 205 (e.g., container policies 205 a-c) created by the IP address manager 120. The container policy 205 of each data container 130 specifies a policy for managing an address block 125 stored in the data container 130, as is described more fully herein. For example, the container policy 205 of a data container 130 can specify a policy for allocating the address block 125 stored in the data container 130, or portion thereof, to another data container 130.

In a further embodiment, each data container 130 may include one or more container attributes 210 (e.g., container attributes 210 a-c), and each address block 125 stored in the data container 130 can include one or more address block attributes 220 (e.g., address block attributes 220 a-c). The container attributes 210 and address block attributes 220 facilitate management of address blocks 125 stored in the data container 130, as is described more fully herein.

In a further embodiment, a first data container 130 may include one or more links 225 (e.g., links 225 a-c) that associate the first data container 130 with a second data container 130, and can represent a predetermined relationship between the first data container 130 and the second data container 130. For example, the link 225 a of the first data container 130 a can represent a parent-child relationship between the first data container 130 a (i.e., a parent data container 130) and the second data container 130 b (i.e., a child data container 130). Further, another link 225 b in the second data container 130 b can represent a child-parent relationship between the second data container 130 b (i.e., the child data container 130) and the first data container 130 a (i.e., the parent data container 130). Moreover, a plurality of data containers 130 a-c associated with each other via a plurality of links 225 a-c can form a container hierarchy 200, as depicted in FIG. 2. Although only three data containers 130 are shown in FIG. 2, alternative embodiments can comprise any number of data containers 130.

In one embodiment, the address blocks 125 stored in the container hierarchy 200 have an address block hierarchy. For example, an address block 125 stored in a root data container 130 (i.e., a data container 130 without a link 225 to a parent data container 130) can include a range of IP addresses, and the address block 125 stored in each child data container 130 of the root data container 130 (i.e., a parent data container 130 of the child data containers 130) can include a subset of the range of IP addresses contained in the address block 125 of the root data container 130. In this way, an address block 125 of a root data container 130 is subdivided into smaller address blocks 125 for the child data containers 130 of the root data container 130. Similarly, the address blocks 125 of the child data containers 130 can be further subdivided among lower levels of the container hierarchy 200.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary computing system 115, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The computing system 115 includes a processor 300, an Internet interface 305, an input-output (I/O) device 315, and a memory system 320 coupled in communication with each other via a communication bus 310. As shown in FIG. 3, the memory system 320 contains the IP address manager 120. In this embodiment, the processor 300 executes the IP address manager 120 to generate the electronic notification, and provides the electronic notification to the Internet interface 305 via the communication bus 310. The Internet interface 305 transmits the electronic notification to the IR 105 (FIG. 1) via the Internet 110 (FIG. 1). Although the memory system 320 contains the IP address manager 120 in this embodiment, it is to be appreciated that the IP address manager 120 need not be contained in the memory system 320 in other embodiments. For example, the IP address manager 120 can be contained in the processor 300, the Internet interface 305, or the I/O device 315. As another example, the IP address manager 120 can be a computing device coupled in communication with the communication bus 310.

In one embodiment, the IP address manager 120 includes one or more hardware modules. Examples of hardware modules include a combinational logic circuit, a sequential logic circuit, a programmable logic device, and a computing device, among others. In further embodiments, the IP address manager 120 includes one or more software modules. Examples of software modules include a computer program, a software routine, binary code, and firmware, among others. Another example of a software module is a computer program product containing computer program code, such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), or a memory storage device (e.g., a flash memory). In still another embodiment, the IP address manager 120 includes both hardware modules and software modules.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary IP address manager 120, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The IP address manager 120 comprises a system module 400, a topology module 405, a management module 410, and a report module 415. In this embodiment, the system module 400 initializes the IP address manager 120 based on user input. For example, a user can use the system module 400 to define system parameters, such as the types of address blocks that can be stored in a data container 130 or reasons for allocating an address block to a data container 130. The topology module 405 creates data containers 130, edits the data containers 130, creates links 225 (e.g., links 225 a-c shown in FIG. 2) between the data containers 130, and edits the links 225. Additionally, the topology module 405 creates container policies 205 (FIG. 2) for the data containers 130 and can create container attributes 210 (FIG. 2) for the data containers 130.

The management module 410 allocates address blocks 215 to the data containers 130 and creates address block attributes 220 (FIG. 2) for the address blocks 125, as is described more fully herein. The report module 415 generates reports for the data containers 130 and the address blocks 125 stored in the data containers 130. For example, the report module 415 can generate a report for each data container 130, which includes a description of any container policy 205 and address block 125 stored in the data container 130. Alternative embodiments may comprise additional modules, fewer modules, or other modules than the exemplary IP address manager 120 depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 depicts exemplary container policies 205 of the data container 130 (FIG. 1). The exemplary container policies 205 comprise a block type policy 500, a root block type policy 505, a parent allocation policy 510, a net name policy 515, and an information template policy 520. Alternative embodiments may comprise additional container policies 205, fewer container policies 205, or other container policies 205.

The block type policy 500 specifies the block types of an address block 125 (FIG. 2) that can be stored in the data container 130. In various embodiments, the block type can be a data block type, a voice data block type, an IP version block type, or any block type defined by a user. For example, the data block type can specify that the IP addresses in the address block 125 can be assigned to network hosts that communicate by using a reliable communication protocol, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). As another example, the voice data block type can specify that the IP addresses in the address block 125 can be assigned to network hosts that communicate by using a voice communication protocol, such as Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VOIP). As still another example, the IP version block type can specify that the IP addresses in the address block 125 can be assigned to network hosts using a specific IP version, such as IP version 4 (IPv4) or IP version 6 (IPv6). It is to be appreciated that the address block 125 stored in the data container 130 can have more than one block type in various embodiments of the present invention.

The root block type policy 505 specifies the type of a root address block 125 that can be added to the data container 130. For example, the root address block may include a block of IP addresses allocated by the IR 105 or the top level block for a selected private address space. The root block type can be a data block type, a voice data block type, or any block type defined by a user, as is described more fully herein. It is to be appreciated that the root block type of the address block 125 allocated to the data container 130 need not be the same as the block type of the address block 125. For example, the root block type can be an IP version type specifying IPv6 and the block type can be a data block type specifying TCP. In this example, an address block 125 having an IP version type specifying IPv6 can be allocated to the data container 130. Once this address block 125 is allocated to the data container 130 (i.e., stored in the data container), an IP address in this address block can be assigned to a network host in the computer network that communicates by using IPv6 and TCP.

The parent allocation policy 510 specifies whether the data container 130 can request allocation of an address block 125 from a parent data container 130. In one embodiment, the data container 130 automatically requests the address block 125 from the parent data container 130 of the data container 130 in accordance with the parent allocation policy 510 when the data container 130 does not have sufficient IP addresses to assign to network hosts in the computer network.

The net name policy 515 specifies whether a network name is required for the address block 125 before the address block 125 or a portion of the address block 125 is allocated to a network or subnet in the computer network. The IP address manager 120 (FIG. 1) then provides the network name to the IR 105 (FIG. 1) once the address block 125 is allocated to the network or subnet. In one embodiment, the IP address manager 120 sends an email message identifying the address block 125 and the network name to the IR 105. In this way, the IP address manager 120 justifies the use of the address block 125 as may be required by the IR 105 before the IR 105 allocates additional address blocks 125 to an individual or an organization.

The information template policy 520 specifies whether an information template is to be associated with the data container 130 or the address block 125. The information template can include data or user defined fields that can store data input by a user of the IP address manager 120. For example, the information template can be a location template including a field for specifying a geographic location of the computer network. In this example, the computer network can be a wide area network (WAN), and the geographic location can be the city in which a network or subnet of the WAN is located. Further, in this example, the address block 125 can be allocated to a network or subnet located at the geographic location.

FIG. 6 depicts. exemplary container attributes 210 in the data container 130 (FIG. 1). Each container attribute 210 includes information for the data container 130. The exemplary container attributes 210 comprises a container type 600, a container name 605, a container description 610, a homes passed statistic 615, and a network service identifier 620. The container attributes 210 facilitate management of the address blocks 125 (FIG. 2) in the IP address manager 120 (FIG. 1). It is to be appreciated that the container attributes 210 are optional in some embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, alternative embodiments may comprise additional container attributes 210, fewer container attributes 210, or other container attributes 210.

The container type 600 specifies whether the data container 130 is a logical type or a device type. The logical type indicates that the data container 130 stores the address block 125 according to a logical organization of the computer network. For example, the computer network can be organized according to networks or subnets in the computer network. The device type indicates that the data container 130 is to store an address block 125 according to a device organization of a computer network. For example, the computer network can be organized according to network hosts and host devices in the computer network.

The container name 605 specifies a name for identifying the data container 130. The IP address manager 120 can then use the container name 605 to manage the data container 130 and generate reports about the data container 130. For example, the container name 605 can be the name of a company division, the geographic location of a company office, or the name of a network host in a computer network.

The container description 610 specifies a description for the data container 130. For example, the data container 130 can store address blocks 125 for a company office at a particular geographic location. In this example, the container description 610 can include a textual description of the company office at the particular geographic location (e.g., “Headquarters”).

The homes passed statistic 615 indicates homes that have access to a cable network in a geographic area. In one embodiment, the container name 605 specifies the geographic area and the homes passed statistic 615 specifies a number of homes in the geographic area that have access to the cable network. In another embodiment, the container name 605 specifies a geographic area and the homes passed statistic 615 specifies a percentage of homes in the geographic area that have access to the cable network. The homes passed statistic 615 allows a user of the IP address manager 120 to estimate the number of IP addresses to be allocated in the geographic area and to determine the size of an address block 125 to allocate to the data container 130.

The network service identifier 620 identifies a network service that is associated with the data container 130. In one embodiment, a user of the IP address manager 120 can associate a network service with the data container 130 (i.e., attach a network service to the data container 130) or disassociate a network service with the data container 130 (i.e., detach a network service to the data container 130). For example, a network service can be a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) that automatically assigns IP addresses to network hosts and host devices using TCP/IP.

FIG. 7 depicts exemplary address block attributes 220. Each of the address block attributes 220 contains information for an address block 125 (FIG. 2) stored in the data container 130 (FIG. 1). The exemplary address block attributes 220 comprise an IP address version 700, an address block type 705, a parent allocation node 710, a block size 715, a starting address 720, a block name 725, a block description 730, a block status 735, a net name 740, an allocation reason 745, an allocation reason description 750, and a user defined attribute 760. The address block attributes 220 facilitate management of the address block 125 (FIG. 2) in the IP address manager 120 (FIG. 1). It is to be appreciated that the address block attributes 220 are optional in embodiments of the present invention. Further, alternative embodiments may comprise additional address block attributes 220, fewer address block attributes 220, or other address block attributes 220.

The IP address version 700 specifies an IP version of the address block 125. For example, the IP version can be IPv4 or IPv6, as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The address block type 705 specifies the types of IP addresses that are allowed in the address block 125. An example of the address block type 705 is a data block type or a voice data block type, as is described more fully herein. As another example, the address block type 705 can specify that both IPv4 and IPv6 IP addresses are allowed in the address block 125. As still another example, the address block type 705 can specify that Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) IP addresses are allowed in the address block 125. In one embodiment, the IP address manager 120 allows a user of the IP address manager 120 to select an IP address version 700 and an address block type 705 based on the block type policy 500 of a data container 130.

The parent allocation node 710 specifies the address block 125 in the parent data container 130 from which the address block in the data container 130 was created.

The block size 715 specifies the size of an address block 125 stored in the data container 130, and the starting address 720 specifies a starting address of the address block 125. In one embodiment, the IP address manager 120 creates the block size 715 and the starting address 720 based on an address block 125 allocated to the data container 130 (i.e., stored in the data container). In another embodiment, a user specifies a block size 715 and a starting address 720 to create a second address block 125 based on a first address block 125 stored in the data container 130. In this embodiment, the user can use the IP address manager 120 to allocate the second address block 125 to another data container 130, such as a child data container 130. In this way, the first address block 125 can be divided into smaller address blocks 125, which can be allocated among the data containers 130 in the IP address manager 120.

The block name 725 specifies a name that identifies an address block 125 stored in the data container 130, and the block description 730 specifies a description of an address block 125. In this way, a user can quickly identify the address block 125 among multiple address blocks 125 stored in the data container 130. In one embodiment, the IP address manager 120 allows a user to select the address block 125 by using the block name 725. For example, the IP address manager 120 can include a pull-down menu including the block name 725 of any address block 125 stored in the data container 130.

The block status 735 indicates a status of an address block 125 stored in a data container 130. For example, the block status 735 can indicate whether the address block 125 is available, allocated to another data container 130, or assigned to a network host or host device in the computer network. In one embodiment, a user of the IP address manager 120 can modify the block status 735 to allocate the address block 125 to another data container 130. In another embodiment, the IP address manager 120 automatically changes the block status 735 when the address block 125 is allocated to another data container 130 or an IP address is assigned to a host or host device.

The net name 740 specifies a name that identifies the network or subnet of the computer network to which an address block 125 is to be allocated. In one embodiment, a user of the IP address manager 120 enters a name for the network or subnet of the computer network. In another embodiment, the net name policy 515 (FIG. 5) specifies whether a user is required to enter a net name 740 before creating an address block 125 or allocating the address block 125.

The allocation reason 745 specifies a reason for allocating an address block 125 to another data container 130 (e.g., a child data container 130) or to a network or subnet of the computer network. For example, the allocation reason 745 can be the addition of a network or subnet in the computer network. In this example, the other data container 130 is associated with the added network or subnet. In one embodiment, the IP address manager 120 includes predetermined allocation reasons 745 that a user of the IP address manager 120 can select via a pull-down menu. For example, a predetermined reason 745 can be the addition of a subnet to the computer network. In a further embodiment, a user can define the allocation reasons 745.

The allocation reason description 750 also describes a reason for allocating the address block 125 to the other data container 130. In one embodiment, the allocation reason description 750 is a text entry that a user creates in the IP address manager 120. In this way, the user is not limited to a predetermined reason for allocating the address block 125 to the other data container 130.

The user defined attribute 760 specifies user supplied information for the address block 125 stored in the data container 130. For example, a user of the IP address manager 120 can be an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and the user supplied information can be a customer name and customer identifier to which the address block 125 is assigned by the user. It is to be appreciated that a user can create multiple user defined attributes 760 for the address block 125 stored in the data container 130 by using the IP address manager 120.

An example of a user defined attribute 760 is an allocation location that specifies the location of the network or subnet to which the address block 125 is allocated. For example, the allocation location can be a geographic location (e.g., a city) of a network or subnet in the computer network. In further embodiments, the allocation location can include a building identifier, a room identifier, or an optical fiber identifier that indicates the location of the network or subnet in the computer network.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary screen shot 800 of a graphical user interface generated by the topology module 405 (FIG. 4). As shown, the graphical user interface of the topology module 405 is running in a Microsoft Internet Explorer window. Further, the graphical interface includes links to submodules of the topology module 405 that allow a user of the IP address manager 120 (FIG. 4) to edit data containers 130 (FIG. 2), delete data containers 130, add child data containers 130, and edit links 225 (FIG. 2) to move data containers 130 within the container hierarchy 200 (FIG. 2). Although the graphical user interface of the topology module 405 is shown running in a Microsoft Internet Explorer window in FIG. 8, it is to be appreciated that other Web browsers (e.g., Netscape) can display the graphical user interface of the topology module 405.

FIG. 9 depicts another exemplary screen shot 900 of the graphical user interface generated by the topology module 405 (FIG. 4). The graphical user interface of FIG. 9 is a result of a user selecting the “add child container” link in the graphical user interface of FIG. 8. As shown, the graphical user interface of the topology module 405 is running in a Microsoft Internet Explorer window. Further, the graphical user interface includes pull-down menus, buttons, and fields that allow a user of the IP address manager 120 (FIG. 4) to select or create container policies 205 (FIG. 2) or container attributes 210 (FIG. 2) for a data container 130 (e.g., a child data container 130).

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary screen shot 1000 of a graphical user interface generated by the management module 410 (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 10, the graphical user interface of the management module 410 is running in Microsoft Internet Explorer window. Further, the graphical user interface includes pull-down menus, buttons, and fields that allow a user of the IP address manager 120 to create or select address block attributes 220 (FIG. 2) for an address block 125 (FIG. 2) stored in the data container 130 (FIG. 2) and to allocate the address block 125 to a network or subnet in the computer network. Further, the user can create a second address block 125, based on the first address block 125 stored in the data container 130, and can allocate the second address block 125 to a network or subnet in the computer network. The graphical user interface also allows the user to assign an IP address in any address block 125 stored in the data container 130 to a network host or host device in the computer network.

FIG. 11 depicts another exemplary screen shot 1100 of the graphical user interface generated by the management module 410 (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 11, the graphical user interface of the management module 410 is running in a Microsoft Internet Explorer window. In contrast to the graphical user interface of FIG. 10, the graphical user interface of FIG. 11 includes additional user-defined fields that allow a user to specify address block attributes 220 (FIG. 2) for a location, building, floor, and room of a network or subnet in the computer network. In one embodiment, the additional fields of the graphical user interface are based on the information template policy 520 (FIG. 5) of a data container 130 for a chosen block type (e.g., IP address version IPv4).

FIG. 12 depicts a flow chart 1200 of an exemplary method for managing IP addresses. In step 1205, the IP address manager 120 (FIG. 1) creates a first data container 130. In one embodiment, the topology module 405 (FIG. 4) of the IP address manager 120 creates the first data container 130 based on user input. For example, the user can select a button or link in the graphical user interface generated by the topology module 405 to create the first data container 130.

In step 1210, the IP address manager 120 creates a container policy 205 (FIG. 205) for the first data container 130. In one embodiment, the topology module 405 of the IP address manager 120 creates the container policy 205 for the first data container 130 based on user input. For example, the user can select the container policy 205 from a pull-down menu in the graphical user interface generated by the topology module 405 to create the container policy 205 for the first data container 130.

In step 1215, the IP address manager 120 creates a container attribute 210 (FIG. 2) for the first data container 130. In one embodiment, the topology module 405 (FIG. 7) of the IP address manager 120 creates the container attribute 210 for the first data container 130 based on user input. For example, the user can select the container attribute 210 from a pull-down menu in the graphical user interface generated by the topology module 405. It is to be appreciated that step 1215 is optional in various embodiments of the present invention.

In step 1220, the IP address manager 120 allocates a first address block 125 to the first data container 130. In one embodiment, the management module 410 of the IP address manager 120 allocates the first address block 125 to the first data container 130 by storing the address block 125 into the first data container 130 based on user input. In another embodiment, the IP address manager 120 notifies the IR 105 of the allocation by creating an email specifying the details of the allocation and sending the email to the IR 105 via the Internet 110. It is to be appreciated that step 1220 is optional in various embodiments of the present invention.

In step 1225, the IP address manager 120 creates an address block attribute 220 (FIG. 2) for the first address block 125. The address block attribute 220 specifies an attribute of the address block 125, as is described more fully herein. For example, the address block attribute 220 can be an address block type 705 (FIG. 7) or an IP address version 700 (FIG. 7).

In one embodiment, the management module 410 of the IP address manager 120 creates the address block attribute 220 for the first address block 125 based on user input. In an alternative embodiment, the management module 410 creates the address block attribute 220 for the first address block 125 based on the first container policy 205. In another embodiment, the first address block 125 must have at least one address block attribute 220 before the first address block 125 can be allocated to another data container 130 (e.g., a child data container 130).

It is to be appreciated that step 1225 is optional in various embodiments of the present invention. It is further to be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the steps 1205-1225 can be performed in a different order than the order described above and that steps 1205-1225 may be repeated to allocate additional address blocks 125 to the first data container 130.

FIG. 13 depicts a flow chart 1300 of a portion of an exemplary method for managing IP addresses. In one embodiment, the portion of the exemplary method for managing the data container 130 depicted in the flow chart 1300 follows the method of managing a data container 130 depicted in the flow chart 1200 of FIG. 12.

In step 1305, the IP address manager 120 (FIG. 1) selects a second address block 130 having a range of IP addresses within the first address block 130 (i.e., the second address block 130 is a sub block of the first address block 130). In one embodiment, a user of the IP address manager 120 selects the second address block 130 based on address block attributes 220 of the first address block 130. For example, the first address block 130 can have a block size 715 (FIG. 7) and a starting address 720 (FIG. 7). In this example, the user selects a block size 715 for the second address block 125 that is equal to or smaller than the block size 715 of the first address block 130. Further, in this example, the user selects a starting address 720 for the second address block so that the second address block 125 is within the range of IP addresses in the first address block 125.

In step 1310, the IP address manager 120 allocates the second address block 125 to a child data container 130 or assigns the second address block 125 to an end user. In one embodiment, the management module 410 of the IP address manager 120 allocates the second address block to a child data container 130 based on user input. In another embodiment, the management module 410 assigns the second address block 125 to the end user based on user input. In this embodiment, the end user is a network or a subnet of a computer network. In another embodiment, the second address block 125 contains one IP address, and the management module 410 assigns the one IP address to the end user based on user input.

It is to be appreciated that steps 1305 and 1310 may be repeated any number of times to allocate an address block 125 within the first address block 125 to a child data container 130 in a container hierarchy 200 (FIG. 2) of data containers 130. Moreover, steps 1305 and 1310 may be repeated once again to assign the address block 125 in the child data container 130 to the end user.

FIG. 14 depicts a flow chart 1400 of a portion of an exemplary method for managing IP addresses. In one embodiment, the portion of the method for managing a data container 130 depicted in the flow chart 1400 follows the method of managing a data container 130 depicted in the flow chart 1200 of FIG. 12.

In step 1405, the IP address manager 120 (FIG. 1) creates a second data container 130. As part of this process, the IP address manager 120 links the first data container 130 to the second data container 130. For example, the first data container 130 can be a parent data container 130 and the second data container 130 can be a child data container 130. In one embodiment, the topology module 405 (FIG. 4) of the IP address manager 120 creates the second data container 130 based on user input. For example, the user can select a link or button in the graphical user interface generated by the topology module 405 to create the second data container 130 and the links 225.

In step 1410, the IP address manager 120 creates a container policy 205 (FIG. 2) for the second data container 130. In one embodiment, the topology module 405 (FIG. 4) of the IP address manager 120 creates the container policy 205 for the second data container 130 based on user input. For example, the user can select the container policy 205 for the second data container 130 from a pull-down menu in the graphical user interface generated by the topology module 405.

In step 1415, the IP address manager 120 creates a container attribute 210 (FIG. 2) for the second data container 130. In one embodiment, the topology module 405 of the IP address manager 120 creates the container attribute 210 for the second data container 130 based on user input. For example, the user can select the container attribute 210 from a pull-down menu in the graphical user interface generated by the topology module 405. It is to be appreciated that step 1415 is optional in various embodiments of the present invention.

In step 1420, the IP address manager 120 selects a second address block 130 based on the first address block 130. The second address block 130 is a portion of the first address block 130 that is to be allocated to the second data container 130. In one embodiment, the management module 410 (FIG. 4) of the IP address manager 120 selects the second address block 130 within the first address block 130 based on user input, as is described more fully herein.

In step 1425, the IP address manager 120 allocates the second address block 130 to the second data container 130. In one embodiment, the management module 410 module of the IP address manager 120 allocates the second address block 125 to the second data container 130 by storing the second address block 130 into the second data container 130.

In step 1430, the IP address manager 120 creates an address block attribute 220 (FIG. 2) for the second address block 125. In one embodiment, the management module 410 of the IP address manager 120 creates the address block attribute 220 for the second address block 125 based on user input, as is described more fully herein. In an alternative embodiment, the management module 410 creates the address block attribute 220 for the second address block 125 based on the second container policy 205. In still another embodiment, the second address block 125 must have at least one address block attribute 220 before the IP address manager 120 can allocate the second address block 125 to the second data container 130. In this embodiment, step 1430 is performed before step 1425. It is to be appreciated that step 1430 is optional in various embodiments of the present invention. It is further to be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, steps 1405-1430 can be performed in a different order than the order described above.

The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative of the present invention. As these embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to illustrations, various modifications or adaptations of the methods and/or specific structures described may become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely upon the teachings of the present invention, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to only the embodiments illustrated. 

1. A data container configured to store an address block including at least one Internet Protocol address, the data container comprising at least one container policy for managing the address block.
 2. The data container of claim 1, wherein the at least one container policy comprises a block type policy specifying a block type of an address block that can be stored in the data container.
 3. The data container of claim 2, wherein the block type is a data block type.
 4. The data container of claim 2, wherein the block type is a voice data block type.
 5. The data container of claim 2, wherein the block type is any block type defined by a user.
 6. The data container of claim 1, wherein the at least one container policy comprises a root block type policy specifying a root block type of an address block that can be stored in the data container.
 7. The data container of claim 1, wherein the at least one container policy comprises a parent allocation policy specifying whether the data container can request a parent data container to allocate an address block to the data container.
 8. The data container of claim 1, further comprising at least one address block attribute for the address block.
 9. The data container of claim 8, wherein the at least one address block attribute comprises an address version.
 10. The data container of claim 8, wherein the at least one address block attribute comprises an address block type.
 11. The data container of claim 11, wherein the address block type is any block type defined by a user.
 12. The data container of claim 1, further comprising at least one container attribute.
 13. The data container of claim 12, wherein the at least one container attribute comprises a container type.
 14. The data container of claim 13, wherein the container type is a logical type.
 15. The data container of claim 13, wherein the container type is a device type.
 16. The data container of claim 12, wherein the at least one container attribute comprises a network service associated with the data container.
 17. The data container of claim 1, further comprising at least one link associating the data container with a second data container.
 18. The data container of claim 17, wherein the second data container is a child data container.
 19. The data container of claim 17, wherein the second data container is a parent data container.
 20. A method of managing Internet Protocol addresses, comprising: creating a first data container configured to store a first address block including at least one Internet Protocol address; and creating at least one container policy for managing the first address block.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising creating at least one container attribute for the first data container.
 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising: selecting a second address block within the first address block; and assigning the second address block to an end user.
 23. The method of claim 20, further comprising allocating the first address block to the first. data container.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein allocating the first address block to the first data container comprises sending an electronic notification to an Internet Protocol registry indicating that the first address block is allocated to the first data container.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the electronic notification is an email message.
 26. The method of claim 20, further comprising creating at least one address block attribute for the first address block.
 27. The method of claim 20, further comprising: creating a second data container; selecting a second address block based on the first address block; and allocating the second address block to the second data container.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: creating a link between the first data container and the second data container to form a container hierarchy including the first data container and the second data container.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the second data container is a child data container, and wherein creating a second data container further comprises: creating a link from the first data container to the second data container; and storing the link from the first data container to the second data container in the first data container.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the second address block is within the first address block.
 31. A system for managing Internet Protocol addresses, comprising: a topology module configured to create a data container for storing an address block including at least one Internet Protocol address, the topology module further configured to create a container policy for managing the address block.
 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the topology module is further configured to create a container attribute for the data container.
 33. The system of claim 31, further comprising a management module configured to allocate the address block to the data container.
 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the management module is further configured to create an address block attribute for the address block.
 35. The system of claim 33, wherein the management module is further configured to send an electronic notification to an Internet Protocol registry indicating that the address block is allocated to the data container.
 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the electronic notification is an email message.
 37. The system of claim 31, wherein the topology module is further configured to create a plurality of data containers and to link the data containers together into a container hierarchy.
 38. The system of claim 31, further comprising a report module configured to generate a report for the data container.
 39. A system for managing Internet Protocol addresses, comprising: means for creating a data container for storing an address block including at least one Internet Protocol address; and means for creating a container policy for managing the address block.
 40. The system of claim 39, further comprising means for creating a container attribute for the data container.
 41. The system of claim 39, further comprising means for allocating the address block to the data container.
 42. The system of claim 39, further comprising means for creating an address block attribute for the address block.
 43. The system of claim 41, further comprising means for sending an electronic notification to an Internet Protocol registry indicating that the address block is allocated to the data container.
 44. A computer program product comprising computer program code for a method of managing Internet Protocol addresses, the method comprising: creating a first data container configured to store a first address block including at least one Internet Protocol address; and creating at least one container policy for managing the first address block.
 45. The computer program product of claim 44, further comprising allocating the first address block to the first data container.
 46. The computer program product of claim 45, further comprising sending an electronic notification to an Internet Protocol registry indicating that the first address block is allocated to the first data container.
 47. The computer program product of claim 44, further comprising: creating an address block attribute for the first address block; and creating a container attribute for the first data container.
 48. The computer program product of claim 44, further comprising: creating a second data container; selecting a second address block based on the first address block; and allocating the second address block to the second data container.
 49. A system comprising: a memory system configured to store an Internet Protocol address manager; a processor coupled in communication with the memory system and configured to execute the Internet Protocol address manager to generate an electronic notification indicating allocation of an address block containing at least one Internet Protocol address; and an Internet interface coupled in communication with the processor and configured to send the electronic notification to an Internet Protocol Address Internet Registry via the Internet. 